IRVINE, CA  Donald Goo, FAIA and former Chairman of global design firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG), has been selected to receive American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Hawaii State Council Medal of Honor, just the seventh time this distinguished award had been presented. 

Goo will be recognized and officially receive the Medal of Honor during a gala event at the Hawaii Convention Center, a landmark structure that fittingly represents Goo's award-winning design leadership and the lasting impact he made on Hawaii's built environment.

Presented by the Hawaii Architectural Foundation on behalf of the AIA Hawaii State Council, the Medal of Honor recognizes Island architects who significantly advance the profession, and through their leadership, inspire fellow practitioners. The award represents a crowning achievement for Goo, a native of Hawaii, who first joined WATG in 1959 when the firm was known as Wimberly and Cook. Goo would later rise to President, CEO, and finally Chairman, leading an expansion of the firm's work well beyond its origins of Hawaii and French Polynesia. Beyond geographical expansion, Goo also played a key role in developing the firm's current range of comprehensive client services, which include strategy, planning, urban design, architecture, landscape, interiors, and integrated services.

Goo's Medal of Honor award follows his prestigious HICAP Innovation Award in 2008, presented by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific trade organization. According to WATG's current CEO, Mike Seyle, Goo's legacy continues to grow, from his early days in leading the re-visioning of the famed Sheraton Maui in 1960, and again in 1997, to the ambitious re-positioning of the Hilton Hawaiian Village from 1982 to 1988. 

"It is fitting that as we celebrate 70 years as a design firm, Don is being recognized for his valuable contributions in design," said Seyle, "Not only did he play a pivotal role in securing our firm's global presence and service diversity, he also realized his vision of consistent design excellence and innovation."

In addition to re-shaping much of Hawaii's hospitality landscape, Goo's work in Hawaii is also showcased in the design of Bank of Hawaii's iconic Waikiki building with Jerry Allison, FAIA and Pete Wimberly, FAIA in 1966, and the Hawaii Convention Center, with George Loschky of LMN in 1997.